Electrical problem - Help please!

[addams]

Hi all,

Went to take the Sag out this afternoon, but encountered a bit of a problem and was wondering if anyone had any ideas?

Firstly the window didn't drop at all when tried to open the door, thought it was probably sticking on the rubber as haven't used the spray silicone for a while, so lowered it from the boot (worked fine) and the door opened normally.

Then when I turned the key it went through the normal starting sequence with the lights/dials, then got an error code 144 power supply problem (or similar), then nothing. Tried a couple more times with no change, so thought that maybe the battery might be a bit low, so plugged the charger in (it has a trickle charger permanently wired in through the boot).

Came back a couple of hours later and there was a strange buzzing type noise coming from the car at regular intervals (can't really describe the noise better, but not didn't sound 'mechanical'). When I switched the charger off the noise stopped, and started again when I switched the charger back on.

After this it went a bit weird - at various times have had door & boot not opening, indicators flashing one or both sides, interior lights flicking on and off, illumination on the interior door-opening buttons flashing and various clicking and buzzing noises from different areas of the car. Currently car is pretty much 'dead', nothing happens when turning the key, windows don't move and I daren't close the door 'cos I'm sure it won't open again! (it's in a locked garage).

Have done a bit of internet research, but there's nothi8ng helpful on the alarm code, and I haven't seen the same sympoms described anywhere - any ideas? (please!)

[brogenville]

Sounds like you've just got a dead flat battery. Remember, if a battery gets below a certain voltage, no amount of charging is going to bring it back to life.

Have you tried hooking up some beefy jump leads to a known good battery? That would show if it is just a poor power supply that's causing the erratic electrics (buzzing relays and the like).

[ninetynine]

disconect battery for 60 seconds as sometines when battery voltage gets low
it mucks up the ecu,s disconecting power resets them

[addams]

Cheers for the replies, was thinking along those lines myself. The problem at the moment is I can't get to the nearside wheel whilst it's in the garage, so plan to push it outside in the morning to get access then see if it does any good.

I've finally managed to get the charger connected and swsitched on without any lights flashing or strange noises coming from the car - just the normal red flashing lights for immobiliser - so will leave it overnight and see if it has had any effect. Don't know what happened to change things, it suddenly quietened down - just a TVR thing maybe

[JxT]

Definitely a flat battery. I think the odd clicking / whirring noises are the window motors getting confused when its running out of juice.

A good charge overnight and it'll be making much better noises tomorrow I reckon!

[addams]

JxT said:

Definitely a flat battery. I think the odd clicking / whirring noises are the window motors getting confused when its running out of juice.

A good charge overnight and it'll be making much better noises tomorrow I reckon!

Hmmm, partially right at least.

Latest development this morning is that after a good charge overnight I switched on , the alarm went off but silenced it straight away. then everything looked normal - no alarms/errors except the frost warning one! Tried to start it and it turned over fine, fired then stalled immediately, tried this a few times and it won't run for more than a few seconds.
At present it's back on charge for a few hours then will move it outside this afternoon (either manually or hopefully with the engine!) to get access - I hate having a small garage.

I'm fairly sure now the underlying problem is the battery, after only a few goes at starting it the starter motor was slowing noticeably slowing down, at which point the lights started flickering again.

Anyone got any ideas why it keeps stalling, the engine sounds fine for the few seconds it does run, ecu confused by the low charge maybe?

[Targarama]

addams said:

JxT said:

Definitely a flat battery. I think the odd clicking / whirring noises are the window motors getting confused when its running out of juice.

A good charge overnight and it'll be making much better noises tomorrow I reckon!

Hmmm, partially right at least.

Latest development this morning is that after a good charge overnight I switched on , the alarm went off but silenced it straight away. then everything looked normal - no alarms/errors except the frost warning one! Tried to start it and it turned over fine, fired then stalled immediately, tried this a few times and it won't run for more than a few seconds.
At present it's back on charge for a few hours then will move it outside this afternoon (either manually or hopefully with the engine!) to get access - I hate having a small garage.

I'm fairly sure now the underlying problem is the battery, after only a few goes at starting it the starter motor was slowing noticeably slowing down, at which point the lights started flickering again.

Anyone got any ideas why it keeps stalling, the engine sounds fine for the few seconds it does run, ecu confused by the low charge maybe?

You could just have flooded it. Very easy to do. When you go back later try to start it without going anywhere near the throttle pedal, then be ready to catch it if it starts and splutters - you'll probably need to hit the throttle hardish at this moment then let right off again immediately to 'balance' it IYKWIM.

[VARLEYHYD]

Just a thought
Before you try to start again;

Ignition on;
Select the voltage screen on the POD, observe the voltage setting hopefully 12-12.6v

Then press the horn and see how much the voltage dips; it should only be a couple of points down to min11.8v?

Then do same with side lights and then full beam.

If the voltage drops major; its the battery,or poor earths; chassis earths on front RH side nose, engine RH and battery/chassis passenger footwell.

If not carry on and start the engine and again watch the voltage

It should go up and down between 12.6v-13.8v

If not the 100A fuse has likley blown, or the altenator is faulty.

HTH

G

[addams]

Thanks for the advice guys, have managed to get it started and run for ten minutes or so, I think it may have been flooded - was focused on the electrical gremlins so didn't think of the obvious

Checked the voltages prior to starting with lights, horn etc and all looked as you advised Graham, so hopefully fuse and alternator are ok. I think investing in a new battery will be a good idea, and keeping it on trickle charge (when not running - my extension lead isn't that long!) until then, I guess the cold weather recently might have had an effect.

[Flyin Banana]

Just tried to start my sag, and it's got exect same problems, so i'd just like to thank everybody with the ideas, put my mind at ease

cheers Rob

Edited by Flyin Banana on Wednesday 27th January 15:53

[GR1FF1F]

Mine had a flat bettery last weekend. Similar problem with windows and locks. Turns out the passenger door ECU now failed, likely caused during the cycle of failed starting and jump starting. In short it looks like we all have to look after our batteries better, or just drive the bl00dy thing more